ukoldsrocket88

Hi Folks

I have a 1956 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 with a Dual Range Hydra-Matic Transmission - No forward gears, but reverse works??

There is no Park position and it's not a Jetway I understand.

I took the car out to the filling station after taking delivery of it last week and filled her up, including fuel lead additive. She was driving nice - a little bit jerky as it needs a good service all-round. However when I got back home after 20miles, the transmission does not change into any of the 3 forward gears - but reverse works fine?

Looking at the throttle/gear change linkages they seem fine and nothing loose there, the fluid level was ok. I decided to drop the Hydro-Matic transmission pan, unfortunately there were a few small metal filings/slithers plus looks like a small strip (1 inch long) of fibrous clutch material/gasket on the pan bottom. I cleaned the pan, the wire basket filter and changed the fluid using fresh DEXTRON 3 whilst the engine was running in Neutral, hoping it would make a difference and move forward in any gear - but nothing.

Have also tried the following suggestion with no luck:

"There is a procedure to get the clutch unstuck. Start the vehicle and place the transmission in R. Rev the engine slightly (with brakes locked), then shift to LO, then back to R. Do this 5 times, keeping engine revved."

Does any body have any ideas what could be wrong or do check, many of the gearbox specialists in the UK won't touch or know about this type of transmission?? There is a potential company nearby who will look at it, but want a fortune i.e. £2500+

rustyroger

I don't know where you're based, but Terry mead at Meadspeed in Kent, or Alders in Sussex might be able to help without bankrupting you.

Roger.

Tedd Thompson

Just for your information you do have a park in that transmission, it is achieved by placing the selector in reverse and turning off the engine. The rear wheels will be locked up.

That Transmission was used in Rolls Royce and Bently cars around 52 through 67 so someone in your nick of the woods might know something about them, just a shot in the dark but something to check out...Tedd

Rocketowner

These transmissions were also used in some models of army tanks.When my brother was in service he learned how to rebuild them ,and when he came home he started rebuilding them for the public on GM cars. They had to be tough to take what some of those tanks were put through. Larry

Tedd Thompson

Yea, they advertised them as battle tested. I believe it was used in the Stewart tank, two of them per tank side by side.... Tedd

ukoldsrocket88

Thanks for the reply folks and useful to know there is actually a park (putting in reverse and switching off the engine). I live in Lincolnshire, UK. Interesting to know these were used by military vehicles and rolls royce!

From more digging and responses it may sound like the reverse cone clutch mechanism may be stuck or one of the bands may have self-destructed?...

On Friday just gone I bit the bullet and managed to find a company specialist auto transmission company (Oakdene - Nottingham) who know about Hydramatics, so the Oldsmobile was taken away on a recovery vehicle.

Hopefully in the next few days I will have a better idea what has gone wrong and won't be too expensive to fix.

Will keep you folks posted when I hear more.

Appreciate all the help so far.

Best Regards
Mike

Rocketowner

Thanks Mike ,keep us posted and send pictures of your '56 when you get time. Larry

rustyroger

I guess you won't be at the Billing show this weekend then?.

Roger.

d2_willys

What happens when the reverse clutch stays locked is the transmission will whine while in one of the forward speeds. My Lincoln has this issue, but I can get it unstuck using th e procedure listed in a prior post.

You really don't need to pull the transmission to get to the reverse cone clutch. The clutch can be burnished to make smooth engagement and disengagement.

ukoldsrocket88

Hi folks

Apologies for the delayed reply, attached are some photos...

Unfortunately my olds is still at the specialist transmission shop, been there for a number of weeks now. Unfortunately the procedures didn't work and it more serious, they have had to pull the tranny out and strip it out. The rear cone clutch has ground itself in to the clutch plates, hence the shards of metal and clutch material bits in the fluid... Speaking to the old boys who reassure me they have 82years experience between both of them, they can fix it just a matter of patience, rebuilding and remaking any damaged parts, also a load of money!

I will give them another call on Friday to check how they are progressing, they are Rolls Royce specialists to and are familiar with this type of box but have never seen this particular slant pan.

What was nice to hear was they were astounded by the condition of the chassis\running gear, its like new and good as the body+interior. In better condition than any of the other cars they have in their workshop including some very modern Mercedes!

Another note is that I got back from America a few weeks ago, with my suitcase full of spares for the olds such as:- Gaskets, dist caps, leads, spark plugs, filters, a new water pump, new rubber door pins, new tail light cone lens, brake parts, rubber bits including some window seals and other small pieces, workshop manuals, voltage regulatorbetc. All of these non-existent in the UK and I wanted to stock up whilst I can get hold of them. So once I get the car back, I can sort the little bits and pieces to be a show winner hopefully.

Will keep you all posted on how I get on.

Thanks
Mike